UK Practical Driving Test Cost and Format (2026)
Last verified: April 2026
The DVSA charges GBP62 for a weekday car practical driving test and GBP75 for an evening, weekend, or bank holiday slot[1]. Both fees are published on gov.uk. The test runs for around 40 minutes on the road, plus pre-drive checks and post-drive feedback. The current national pass rate is around 49 per cent[4].
Practical test fees
| Slot | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday during DVSA office hours | GBP62 | gov.uk[1] |
| Evening, weekend, or bank holiday | GBP75 | gov.uk[1] |
| Extended driving test (post-disqualification) | GBP124 | gov.uk[1] |
| Cancellation with 3+ clear working days notice | Refunded | gov.uk[5] |
| Cancellation with less than 3 clear working days | Forfeited | gov.uk[5] |
What happens at the test
DVSA's "what to expect"[3] describes the test as five components, run in this order:
- Eyesight check. Read a vehicle number plate from 20 metres.
- Show-me / tell-me. One "tell me" question before driving (e.g. how would you check the brake fluid level), and one "show me" question while driving (e.g. show me how to demist the rear window). DVSA publishes the full list on gov.uk[6].
- General driving. Around 20 minutes of driving on roads including a mix of speeds and traffic types.
- Independent driving. Around 20 minutes following directions either from a sat-nav (in most tests) or by following road signs.
- One manoeuvre. One of: parallel park, bay park (forward or reverse), or pull up on the right and reverse two car lengths. The examiner picks.
Roughly one in three tests also includes an emergency stop. The total is around 40 minutes of driving plus 5 to 10 minutes of pre-drive checks and post-drive feedback.
Marking
| Fault type | Effect |
|---|---|
| Minor (driving fault) | Up to 15 allowed before automatic fail. |
| Serious | One is an automatic fail. |
| Dangerous | One is an automatic fail; the examiner may take control. |
A repeated minor in the same area can be re-classified as a serious fault. Walking away with five minor faults is a comfortable pass; with 14, you have passed but only just.
Current pass rate
The DVSA publishes pass rate data per test centre, by gender, and by age group[4]. The most recent national average for the car test sits around 49 per cent. Some specifics from the published series:
- The pass rate has hovered between 45 and 50 per cent for the past several years.
- 17 to 20 year olds have a higher pass rate than 30 to 50 year olds in the published series.
- Rural and quieter test centres often pass 60 to 70 per cent of candidates; busy urban centres often pass below 40 per cent.
- The figure is the rate per attempt, not per learner. About 60 per cent of full licences are issued at the first attempt.
Most common reasons for failing
The DVSA publishes ranked lists of common faults[3]. The persistent leaders, in roughly the order DVSA reports:
- Observation at junctions (failing to look properly at side roads and roundabouts).
- Mirrors during signal and change in direction.
- Steering control.
- Move off safely.
- Response to traffic lights.
- Positioning during normal driving.
- Reverse parking.
- Response to traffic signs.
- Use of speed.
The DVSA does not publish a fail-percentage attached to each one; the order is the headline. Discuss your weak points with your instructor before booking.
How to book
Book directly on gov.uk[2]. You will need your provisional licence number and your theory test pass certificate number. The DVSA system shows available slots at test centres. Choose a centre, pick a slot, pay GBP62 (or GBP75 premium). A confirmation arrives by email.
What if you fail?
- You must wait at least 10 working days before booking again.
- You pay GBP62 (or GBP75) again.
- Most learners take two to four extra hours of lessons before the rebook.
- The examiner gives you the DL25 marking sheet on the spot. Take it to your next lesson.
What if you pass?
The examiner asks if you would like to surrender your provisional and have the full licence sent to you (you usually do). The full licence arrives in 1 to 3 weeks. You may drive immediately after the test result; the examiner gives you a paper certificate that acts as proof until the plastic licence arrives. New drivers are subject to the New Drivers Act for the first two years; see our P plates and new drivers page.
What to read next
- Theory test cost and format
- All DVSA fees in one table
- P plates and rules for new UK drivers
- How to save money on lessons and tests
Frequently asked questions
How much is the UK practical driving test in 2026?
GBP62 for a weekday slot, GBP75 for an evening, weekend, or bank holiday slot. Both fees are set by the DVSA and published on gov.uk. The fee covers one attempt; if you fail you pay again to rebook. The fee has held at GBP62 weekday since 2009 despite general inflation.
What does the practical test involve?
An eyesight check (read a number plate from 20 metres), one or two show-me-tell-me vehicle safety questions, a 40-minute drive that includes around 20 minutes of independent driving following sat-nav or signs, one of four set manoeuvres, and possibly an emergency stop. The examiner marks faults as minor (driving), serious, or dangerous. Up to 15 minor faults are allowed; one serious or dangerous fault is an automatic fail.
What is the current pass rate?
The national average car practical pass rate has hovered around 49 per cent in recent DVSA statistics. The figure varies considerably by test centre: rural and quieter centres often show pass rates above 60 per cent, busy urban centres often below 40 per cent. The DVSA publishes per-test-centre data quarterly. Pass rates are not a complete proxy for test difficulty; they also reflect candidate readiness at each centre.
What is the most common reason for failing?
DVSA data on common faults consistently puts observation at junctions at or near the top of the list, followed by mirrors during signal and manoeuvre, and steering control. The order shifts slightly between quarters but these three are the persistent leaders. Two minor faults of the same type can sometimes be marked as one serious fault, which becomes a fail.
How quickly can I rebook after a fail?
DVSA rules require at least 10 working days between practical attempts. So a fail on a Monday means the earliest rebook is the Monday two weeks later. In practice, with current DVSA waiting times, the next available slot at your local test centre is often weeks or months away. The fee is GBP62 (or GBP75 premium) again.
Can I cancel my test for a refund?
Yes, with at least three clear working days notice. The fee is then refunded to the card you paid with. With less than three clear working days notice, the fee is forfeited unless the cancellation is for a qualifying medical reason and supported by a letter from a doctor. The DVSA has tightened enforcement of this rule since 2023.
References
- DVSA / gov.uk: Driving test fees. https://www.gov.uk/driving-test-fees (accessed April 2026)
- DVSA / gov.uk: Book your driving test. https://www.gov.uk/book-driving-test (accessed April 2026)
- DVSA / gov.uk: Driving test: what to expect. https://www.gov.uk/driving-test (accessed April 2026)
- DVSA Statistics: Car driving test pass rates. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/car-driving-test-data-by-test-centre (accessed April 2026)
- DVSA / gov.uk: Cancel or change your driving test. https://www.gov.uk/change-driving-test (accessed April 2026)
- DVSA / gov.uk: Driving test 'show me, tell me' vehicle safety questions. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-show-me-tell-me-vehicle-safety-questions (accessed April 2026)